Complejo Turístico con Criterios de Sostenibilidad en el Lago de Tota

Abstract

Colombia is a country with an extraordinary natural wealth. Its multiple ecosystems, protected areas, oceans, flora, fauna, and endless other characteristics make it the second most biodiverse country in the world, not only for its natural resources but also for all life manifestations (culture, customs, dialects and ways of life). Tourists who visit our country can find incomparable natural treasures, that’s why tourism is already the second line of the national economy, after the mining-energy industry. However, excessive tourism is increasing serious environmental consequences for our ecosystems and future life quality. The Lake Tota hydrographic basin is one of the destinations that has been affected by this excessive and uncontrolled tourism, without neglecting other factors that also affect it, such as the misuse of the soil and the inadequate handling of some chemicals from the agricultural sector. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has assumed the commitment to implement and strengthen the sustainability of the tourism sector in the country, it’s for this reason that we decided to focus our project towards sustainability. According to UNESCO (2019), sustainable or responsible tourism "respects the local population and the traveler, the cultural heritage and the environment". Based on this, we made an analysis of the biophysical environment in Lake Tota, specifically in the municipality of Tota, in the southeast area of the lake, knowing that tourism, like any productive activity, requires a dose of important consumption. Different questions arise from this analysis that will be answered through research about consumption, sustainability, sustainable architecture, responsible tourism, regulations, construction methods, renewable energy sources, materiality, strategies, etc. With these results, and some important references, we managed to meet the objectives of our tourist complex with sustainability criteria and everything that composes it, harmonic designing, comfortable and pleasant spaces for tourists, guaranteeing their enjoyment while preserving as much as possible this ecosystem, properly using resources and achieving adequate control of the negative impacts that will be generated, contributing to economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability.